Making multiple phase emulsion or gel

ABSTRACT

A multiple phase emulsion or gel including a water phase within at least one oil phase in which either or both of the phases contains one or more chemical moieties selected from a group consisting of organic compounds that have multiple hydroxide functionality, cholesterol, lecithin, multiple valent metal ions, saponified organic acids, unsaponified organic acids, saponified organic bases, unsaponified organic bases, nonionic surfactants and amphoteric compounds. The water and oil phase is also within a second water or oil phase in which the second water or oil phase is obtained by mixture of chemical moieties selected from a group consisting of organic acids, tall oil products, organic bases, phosphates, sulfates, nonionic chemicals, amphoterics and betaines.

CROSS-REFERENCE OF THE APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 07/775,435, filed Oct. 15, 1991, entitled "MULTIPLEPHASE EMULSIONS IN BURNER FUEL, COMBUSTION, EMULSION and EXPLOSIVESAPPLICATIONS", now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to the creation and use of multiple phaseemulsions or gels to produce a product suitable for burner fuel,combustion or explosive applications.

2. Description of the Related Art

Burner fuel and or combustion and or explosive emulsions or gels ofvarious types have been known in the art for many years. To date, allthe emulsions for the various combustion applications known in the artinvolve the basic two phase system of emulsification. Generallyspeaking, these systems or types of burner fuel, combustion or explosiveemulsions or gels have involved various chemical systems or combinationsof chemicals of a synthetic or biological origin to create emulsions orgels known as oil in water (O/W) or water in oil (W/O) type emulsions orgels.

Some of the advantages of the basic emulsion systems described above areto allow for better atomization of a burner fuel oil or othercombustible or explosive material to create a more efficient burn,combustion or explosive process. While the basic O/W emulsion systemallows for small particle size oil droplet emulsions and in many caseslower product viscosity than the fuel oil alone, they also force theburn or combustion process to evaporate the surrounding water andconsume the oil droplet from the oil droplets' outer surface to thecenter as in a conventional nozzle atomization of the fuel oil orcombustion components alone. The burn or combustion efficiency of theconventional O/W emulsion system is then dependent upon the size of theoil droplet and amount of water in the system.

There also exists several advantages to the basic W/O emulsion systems.Among some of the advantages to the W/O emulsion are that they allow fora secondary atomization of the emulsion droplet by the exploding waterdroplet that has been trapped as the discontinuous phase when making theinitial W/O emulsion. Another advantage of the W/O emulsion is that oilis on the external phase of the droplet and therefore burns or combustssimilar to a conventional burner fuel or combustion process. Also,excess water in the W/O emulsion can greatly decrease burn or combustionefficiency. Further, efficiency of the W/O emulsion is also greatlydependent upon the mechanical atomization created by the nozzle justprior to burning as well as the secondary atomization created by thewater droplet exploding and further atomizing the mechanically atomizedwater in oil droplet.

These two phase emulsion systems have offered the industry variousadvantages depending upon the chemistry of the emulsion system, the typeof burner fuel or combustible or explosive products being emulsified andother related problems specific to the overall emulsion system understudy at the time. The two phase systems have in the past limitedthemselves to either oil in water or water in oil type systems.

Previous to the advent of this technology, those skilled in the art ofburner fuel or combustion or explosive emulsions tried to maximize theadvantages of one of these individual two phase systems (either W/O orO/W) and minimize its disadvantages. It is the intent of this technologyto combine the advantages of both the O/W and the W/O burner fuel orcombustion or explosion emulsions into a single multiple phase (forexample three alternating phases of W/O/W or O/W/O) burner fuel orcombustion or explosive emulsion product there by minimizing thedisadvantages of the individual two phase type emulsion. This newmultiple phase burner fuel or combustion or explosion emulsion allowsfor the advantages of each of the two phase type emulsions (the W/Oemulsion and the O/W emulsion) by first forming a W/O emulsion and thenemulsifying this W/O product again into a continuous water phase tocreate the advantages of the W/O and O/W emulsions and the formation ofthe final multiple (in this case three) phases of W/O/W that is thecomposition this new burner fuel or combustion or explosive emulsion.The skilled burner fuel, combustion or explosives technologist couldnot, however, capitalize on the inherent advantages offered by thecombination of an oil phase discontinued in water (O/W) and a waterphase discontinued in oil (W/O) in alternating fashion (i.e., multiplephase emulsions of at least W/O/W or O/W/O) in one single emulsionsystem alone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Specifically, this invention describes the procedures, general chemicalgroups, and general use levels of those chemical groups that may be usedto create a multiple phase emulsion or gel. The multiple phase emulsionor gel created as a result of this disclosure possess advantages forburner fuel, combustion or explosives applications previouslyprohibitive if each phase of the emulsion system were a discreteseparate system. Therefore advantages such as expanded physicalproperties of the final multiple phase emulsion product and combinationsof the chemicals used in the creation of the multiple phase emulsionproduct to enhance the burn or combustion or explosion and burner orcombustion or explosion effluents may now be obtained.

It is the intent of this technology to combine the advantages of boththe O/W and the W/O burner fuel or combustion or explosion emulsionsinto a single multiple phase (for example three alternating phases ofW/O/W or O/W/O) burner fuel or combustion or explosive emulsion productthere by minimizing the disadvantages of the individual two phase typeemulsion. This new multiple phase burner fuel or combustion or explosionemulsion allows for the advantages of each of the two phase typeemulsions (the W/O emulsion and the O/W emulsion) by first forming a W/Oemulsion and then emulsifying this W/O product again into a continuouswater phase to create the advantages of the W/O and O/W emulsions andthe formation of the final multiple (in this case three) phases of W/O/Wthat is the composition this new burner fuel or combustion or explosiveemulsion.

A further extrapolation of the technology of multiple phase emulsionswould be the combination of burnable, combustible or explosive solids,oils or various burnable, combustible or explosive hydrocarbons or oilsand water to form solid/oil/water/oil, solid/water/oil/water orsolid/oil-#1/oil-#2 where oil-#1 is immiscible and/or a discontinuousphase in oil-#2 or similarly arranged or combined multiple phaseemulsion(s) that may or may not contain water.

It is the purpose of the teachings of this disclosure to illustrate atleast two mechanical methods of manufacturing a multiple phase and inparticular a three phase emulsion and to describe suitable chemicals forthe manufacture of each mechanical method. Also disclosed in theteachings of this patent are the inherent advantages offered to theindustry by the creation of a multiple phase emulsion. Some of theadvantages of the multiple phase emulsion are: improved costeffectiveness due to the second atomization of the oil by the explodinginternal water phase; improved physical properties such as low viscosityto improve pumpability and the resulting mechanical atomization of theburner or physical atomization nozzle due to the low emulsion viscosity,improved storage stability; a more efficient burn or combustion orexplosion process which would result from the above improvements whichmay well result in lower emissions.

The teaching of this disclosure would not limit themselves to liquids inmultiple phase combinations but would also illustrate the utility of thecombination of various gases, liquids and solids. These combinations ofgases, liquids and solids could have many functions in a product such asbut not limited to being a continuous or discontinuous phase or a partof or the primary portion of the burner fuel, combustion or explosivecomponent of a multiple phase emulsion system. Combinations of burnable,combustible or explosive or non burnable, combustible or explosivesolids with various oils and water would offer the burner fuel,combustion, emulsion and explosives industry many of the same advantageslisted above for the general case of multiple phase emulsions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a water/oil/water multiple phase emulsion astypically viewed under a microscope.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a four phase emulsion containing solidparticulates in the discontinuous phase as typically viewed under amicroscope.

FIG. 3 depicts an apparatus for making a water/oil/water multiple phaseemulsion or gel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The overall teachings of the preferred embodiment are to illustrate theutility of multiple phase emulsions in burner fuel, combustion orexplosives applications. Multiple phase emulsions or systems may consistof any combination of immiscible solids and or liquids combined in anyorder such that their respective dispersions may be separated one fromthe other in an alternating fashion. Further, such multiple phaseemulsions or systems and their dispersions may be accentuated by suchadditives as surface-active agents, finely divided solids, or other suchpartitioning or dispersing agents.

Direct applications of the above definition of multiple phase emulsionsor systems to burner fuel, combustion and or explosives technology willnot only allow for multiple phases of immiscible or undissolved solidsbut also allow for the incorporation or emulsification of solidssuspended in fluids. These solid suspensions may then be incorporated oremulsified into other immiscible fluids or discontinuous phases incombinations with a continuous phase.

An illustration of typical final product forms of multiple phaseemulsions or systems are illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. In FIG. 1 athree phase emulsion 10 is depicted which may be a suitable burner orcombustible fuel that may be used as boiler fuel or in similarapplications. In this multiple phase emulsion the first or most internalphase 12 is comprised of water. This water phase 12 is or has beenemulsified or made discontinuous into the second phase which is anexternal or continuous oil phase 14. This two phase emulsion is thenemulsified into a final continuous water phase 16. This final multiple(three) phase emulsion system 10 would have not only the physicalpreatomization of an oil droplet dispersed in the final continuous waterphase 16 (the conventional oil-in-water emulsion which is commonlyabbreviated O/W emulsion) with its physical atomization by the burner orcombustion nozzle but also have the advantage of the most internal waterphase exploding and infinitely fragmenting its surrounding oil droplet14 (the conventional water-in oil emulsion which is commonly abbreviatedW/O emulsion) there by creating an infinite quantity of oil phasesurface area for burning or combustion purposes.

The ability of this multiple phase emulsion or system to combine theadvantages of both a oil in water and the water in oil emulsion into onemultiple phase emulsion or system for combustion purposes is in and ofitself an advancement in the current state of the art of burner orcombustion fuel and or explosives technology. Other specific advantagesof a multiple phase emulsion will vary depending upon the nature of eachphase and its relation or position within the total system.

Some general advantages of the above described multiple (three) phasewater oil water emulsion (commonly abbreviated W/O/W emulsion) or system10 of FIG. 1 would be: 1) less emulsion settling problems with the oilphase as there is water dispersed or emulsified within the oil phasewhich could create buoyancy effects; 2) due to the improved settlementproperties created by the most internal water phase heavier or higherspecific gravity oils such as asphalts, tars, pitches and the like maybe emulsified for burner or combustion fuel applications; 3) the heavieroils such as asphalts, tars, pitches and the like may expect low pumpingviscosities and improved nozzle atomization as well as; 4) an improvedburning efficiency due to the exploding most internal water phase.Lighter or lower specific gravity oils such as No. 6 burner fuels, No. 2diesel, kerosine or other lighter fuel oils such as gasoline (whichcould be used in motor vehicles for transportation purposes) wouldexpect less creaming due to the settling effect of the heavier mostinternal water phase; 5) spent,by product or other wise useless oils andor their burnable suspended solids which result from the food or woodprocessing industries.

FIG. 2 illustrates the application of a four phase system 18 whichincorporates a solid 20 dispersed in a water phase 22 which is in turnemulsified into an oil phase that is further emulsified into a finalcontinuous phase of water 26. Three typical types of solids that may beuseful in this type of multiple phase emulsion are: 1) finely groundcoal and; 2) finely ground coke and; 3) explosive organic and orinorganic solids. In the solid burner or combustion fuel industry, it isa typical practice to use finely ground solids or aqueous slurries in anattempt to improve handling and burning or combustion characteristic.

The application of this new multiple phase emulsion technology willoffer easier processing due to the pumping of a liquid as opposed to asolid or slurry. A second atomization of the solids suspended in theinnermost water droplet after the emulsion leaves the nozzle may now beachieved. This system also offers the potential for adding solid burnerfuels or other combustible or explosive solids to the oil portion of theemulsion system as well as the aqueous phases there by increasing thetotal amount of solid burner, combustible or explosive fuel in thesystem. Another feature of multiple phase emulsion systems such as thiswould be the option of having the oil portion of the multiple phaseemulsion system add to the total burner, combustible or explosive fuelportion of the system.

Other areas of burner, combustion or explosive fuel technology that maywell benefit from the teachings of this disclosure may be explosives andsolid or semisolid fuel propellants such as solid rocket motor fuels andthe like.

FIG. 3 depicts an apparatus for making multiple phase emulsions.Chemical components used to create the discontinuous water in oil phaseare stored in containers 28 and 30. Pumps 32 and 34 are used totransport the chemical components from storage containers 28 and 30 tothe first mixing apparatus 36. Mixing apparatus 36 could be a colloidmill or some other suitable mixing apparatus fop the creation ofemulsions. The resultant emulsion from the first mixing apparatus 36 istransported to a second mixing apparatus 42. The chemical compound usedto create the continuous water phase of the resultant multiple phaseemulsion is stored in container 38. Pump 40 propels this chemicalcompound from storage container 38 to where it is introduced into thesecond mixing apparatus 42 along with the resultant water in oilemulsion from the first mixing apparatus 36. The resultantwater/oil/water emulsion is the effluent from the second mixingapparatus 42 which can be stored in a suitable container 44. It isreadily apparent that additional chemical compounds can be introducedinto subsequent mixing apparatus in order to create additional phases.

A general procedure for the manufacture of multiple phase emulsionswould involve the use of a suitable mixing device capable of creatingemulsions between two initially discrete components upon theirsubsequent introduction into the mixing device. This resulting emulsionwould then be used as one of the components in the next emulsificationstep between itself and the next component of emulsion of the totalemulsion system. The product or emulsion of this second process stepcould then be further combined with other components to continue in stepwise fashion the order of the system.

The exact equipment required and number of pieces of equipment neededwould vary depending upon the components (oils, solids, water,emulsifier, etc.) of the emulsion system and their respective physicalproperties or state before emulsification. The exact conditions foremulsification would also be dependent upon these same physicalproperties or state. In general those schooled in the art of emulsiontechnology may expect to use emulsification equipment and mechanicaldevices germane to the components of the emulsified burner, combustionor explosive fuel emulsion to be used in the manufacture of each portionof the final multiple phase emulsion.

Typical emulsification equipment may be but is not limited to colloidmills of various types and or configurations, homogenizers or varioustypes and or configurations, in line mixers of various types and orconfigurations, static mixers of various types and or configurations,sonicators of various types and or configurations and or other equipmentor techniques which are known to those skilled in the art ofemulsification to create discontinued phases into or as a part ofcontinuous phases as well as either low (<500 psig) or high (>=500 psig)pressure variations of any or all of the above.

Among the related process equipment normally necessary would be but notlimited to the appropriate pumps, metering devices, heaters, heatexchangers, cooling equipment and other suitable equipment necessary dueto the physical properties or state of the individual components of themultiple phase emulsion system. The use of equipment or techniques knownto those skilled in the art of either wet or dry (or both) grindingtechnology would expect to use grinding or pulverizing equipment germaneto the components of the technology. Typical equipment expected to beutilized in grinding or pulverizing would be but is not limited to jaw,cone, plate and or like crushers or pulverizers, hammer mills, ballmills and other techniques and or types of wet and or dry grinding orpulverizing equipment known to reduce solid particles in size. Relatedequipment or techniques would be capable of discriminating the particlesize and rerouting oversized material appropriately. Examples ofequipment used to discriminate particle size may be but is not limitedto sieves and centrifugal separation or other types of separationtechniques known to those skilled in the art of solids separationprocessing.

Another general procedure or technique for the manufacture of a multiplephase emulsion would involve the art of balancing the chemicalemulsifier demands of the components of the multiple phase emulsionsystem. In a single pass through a single mixer or emulsifying apparatusan emulsion is created which forms both water in oil emulsions formedwhile at the same time oil in water emulsions form such that essentiallythe water is in oil emulsion is emulsified into a continuous waterphase. This technique will most likely be accomplished by combining thechemicals which form water in oil emulsions with chemicals that form oilin water emulsions into the emulsion system and processing through onlyone piece of emulsion manufacturing equipment. This technique thencombines two separate process steps into only one process step andeliminates the need for a second piece of emulsion manufacturingequipment.

Chemicals to produce or aid in the production of acceptable water in oilportions of the multiple phase emulsions are but not limited to: 1)organic compounds that have multiple hydroxide functionality such aswaxes, poly vinyl alcohol or other alcohols; 2) cholesterol; 3) certainlecithin compounds known to product W/O emulsions; 4) multiple valentmetal ions which may or may not be introduced into the emulsion systemin water soluble forms such as but not limited to hydroxides, organicmetallic compounds or complexes, salts, and or sulfates that may or maynot be used singularly or in combination may be but not limited toAluminums, Bariums, Berylliums, Borons, Calciums, Chromiums, Irons,Leads, Magnesiums, Manganese, Nickels, Strontiums and other multiplevalient ions which are either organic or inorganic moieties; 5)saponified and or unsaponified organic acids or bases such as but notlimited to fatty acids, tall oil products or amines, sulfates andsulfites and the like and phosphates and like or similar compounds; 6)nonionic surfactants such as but not limited to nonyl phenol ethoxylatesand like or similar compounds; 7) amphoteric compounds.

In general, any chemical; or chemical system known to produce W/Oemulsions may used to aid in or create the emulsification orpartitioning of the water phase to create the continuous oil phase thatare known to those skilled in the art of water in oil emulsiontechnology may be selected for use in the application of the teachingsof this disclosure. Selection of a specific chemical or chemical systemor combinations of chemicals for the purpose of creating W/O emulsionswill be dependent upon the nature of the components (oils, solids, otherchemicals and or water, etc) being selected for emulsification.

Chemicals to produce a (the) continuous water phase of a multiple phaseemulsion may be selected from but not limited to any number of anionic,nonionic, amphoteric or cationic emulsifiers or partitioning aids knownto those skilled in the art of oil in water emulsification technology.The exact selection of the specific chemical or chemical system orcombinations of chemicals for the purpose of creating a O/W emulsionwill be dependent upon the nature of the components (oils, solids, otherchemicals and or water, etc) being selected for emulsification. Sometypical chemicals that may be selected for use in the formation of acontinuous water phase may be but is not limited to: 1) organic acidssuch as but not limited to fatty acids and or tall oil products andtheir derivatives; 2) organic bases such as but not limited to aminesand or phosphates and or sulfates and or their derivatives; 3) nonionicchemicals such as but not limited to ethoxylated nonyl phenols, organicacids and or organic bases and their derivatives; 4) amphoterics such asbut not limited to those known as betaines and or other such compoundscommonly classified as amphoterics; 5) other like and or similarchemical moieties as those described above known to produce or aid inthe production of continuous water phase emulsion systems.

Other chemical moieties or systems that may be known to those schooledin the art of solids dispersion or floatation technology may be selectedfrom but not limited to: 1) Various gums, thickeners and suspensionagents as derived form beans, wood, aquatic or other plant forms such asbut not limited to various types of guar, cellulose, seaweedderivatives; 2) Various types of chemical moieties such as but notlimited to those derived from micro organisms such as but not limited tothose commercially known as Xanthan, Rhamsan, Welan, and or Gellan gumssome of which may be but are not limited to derivatives of Xanthomonascampestris (a bacterium), alcaligenes strain ATCC 31961, alcaligenesstrain ATCC 31555 and or Pseudomonas strain ATCC 31461 respectively byeither aerobic or anaerobic processes; 3) Various mineral and/or clayderivatives such as but not limited to those clays known as Bentoniteclays and like or similar clays; 4) various synthetic chemical moietiessuch as but not limited to polyacrylamides; 5) Various types and orderivatives of cationic, anionic, nonionic and amphoteric chemicals suchas those previously listed; 6) Other numerous chemical moieties orsystems known to those skilled in the art of solids dispersion, emulsionor flotation technology.

Solids that are known to those skilled in the art to be of aid orbenefit or act as a burnable, combustible or explosive fuel may beacceptable for use in multiple phase emulsion applications. Some typicalsolids that may find use in multiple phase emulsion applications are notlimited to but: 1) Coal particulates; 2) Coke particulates; 3) graindust; 4) various burnable, combustible or explosive organic solids; 5)Various burnable, combustible or explosive inorganic solids; 6) Gasencapsulating glass or plastic beads or gels; 7) Various other solidcomponents that may be of benefit to the burning, combusting orexploding of the multiple phase emulsion known to the skilled burnerfuel, combustion or explosives technologists.

General Procedure of Manufacture No. 1

An acceptable general procedure of manufacture for creating multiplephase emulsions comprised of alternating water and oil phases oralternating immiscible oil phases is illustrated in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3the most internal phases are created in mixer or emulsifying apparatusNo. 1 36 where either an oil in water or water in oil emulsion isformed. The exit stream of mixer or emulsifying apparatus No. 1 36 isthe entrance feed to mixer or emulsifying apparatus No. 2 42. In mixeror emulsifying apparatus No. 2 42 the finished product is formed byemulsifying the discharge form mixer or emulsifying apparatus No. 1 36as a discontinued multiple phase composed of either water in oil or oilin water into a continuous phase of either water or oil. A more concisedescription for illustrative purposes would be the creation of a waterin oil portion of the finished product in mixer or emulsifying apparatusNo. 1 36 to be the intermediate mixture or substrate emulsified as adiscontinuous phase in a continuous water phase produced in mixer oremulsifying apparatus No. 2 42 where in the finished product is formed.Under microscopic observation, this final product would have thephysical appearance as illustrated in FIG. 1 of this disclosure. It isassumed that those skilled in the art of burner fuel, combustion orexplosives technology would be aware of the use of acceptable chemicalmoieties of other additives such as but not limited to those describedin previous sections to accentuate the formation of each phase in theappropriate manor. It is further assumed that those skilled in the artof emulsion technology would realize that there may be even morepractical applications to more phases above the general three phasesystem presented in this disclosure and that this disclosure is notlimiting itself to only a three phase system but rather is illustratingand teaching the practical application of multiple phase systems.

General Procedure of Manufacture No. 2

General Procedure of Manufacture No. 2 involves the use of only onemixer or emulsifying apparatus and a combination of chemicals balancedaccording to their HLB (Hydrophilic--Lipophilic Balance) and that of thecomponents of the multiple phase emulsion.

This procedure and technique is more specific to a three phase systemconsisting of either W/O/W or O/W/O alternating phases. This procedureor technique would not prevent those skilled in the art of burner fuel,combustion, emulsion or explosive technology form realizing theapplications toward further multiple phases (emulsions of >3 phases) orthe incorporation of other states of matter other than liquids (i.e.solids and or gasses) into the overall multiple phase emulsion system.

It is known in the art that multiple phase emulsions may be created byusing a ration of very low HLB chemicals that are commonly used tocreate W/O emulsions in combination with very high HLB chemicals thatare commonly used to create O/W emulsions so as to match the HLB of theoil portion of the multiple phase emulsion. When this ratio is achievedand matches the HLB of the oil portion and these chemicals, oil andwater are mixed in an acceptable mixer or emulsifying apparatus theresulting product will have the physical appearance upon examinationunder a microscope as depicted in FIG. 1 of this disclosure.

Therefore, it is the application of the procedure and technique topractical applications in burner fuel, combustion and explosivestechnology that is of significance to the art. There is also thepractical and commercial application of process cost reduction as thereis only one mixer or emulsifying apparatus used in creating the multiplephase emulsion.

It is assumed that those skilled in the art of burner fuel, combustion,emulsion and explosives technology would be aware of or possessknowledge that certain chemical moieties or combinations may go ineither the oil or the water phase or both depending upon the specificchemical moieties being combined with the desired oils. It is furtherassumed that those skilled in the art of burner fuel, combustion,emulsion and or explosives technology would be aware of or possessknowledge that various types of burnable solids or other additives mayaccentuate the final multiple phase emulsion product. Those additivesmay be but are not limited to those previously disclosed which may actas or be surface-active agents, finely divided solids or other suchpartitioning, dispersing or end product performance agents orenhancements.

General Procedure of Manufacture No. 3

General Procedure of Manufacture No. 3 involves the use of only onemixer of emulsifying apparatus to create multiple phase emulsions. Theprocedure and or technique involves the use of a type of mixer oremulsifying apparatus that will allow for multiple entry ports along itsmixing or emulsifying chamber. There should be sufficient distance andtime presumably based upon component characteristic and volumes betweenthe entry ports of the mixing or emulsifying chamber to allow for thecreation of each phase of the multiple phase emulsion to allow for thecreation of each phase of the multiple phase emulsion to form before thenext portion is introduced through its respective entry port. Thelocation of each entry port would most likely be, but is not limited tobeing determined based upon each components individual characteristic,position in the multiple phase emulsion, volumes, temperature and othersuch parameters consistent with the overall scope of the multiple phaseemulsion. It should be assumed that those skilled in the art of burnerfuel, combustion, emulsion and/or explosives technology would concludeas a result of the teachings of this disclosure that entry ports foreach component of the multiple phase emulsion would be or could be,determined by empirical and or experimental methods and may likely bespecific for each system.

Summary Overview of General Procedure of Manufacture

The three previous procedures and/or techniques for the manufacture ofmultiple phase emulsions are offered to illustrate the number of wideand varied procedures and or techniques available to and known by thoseskilled in the art of burner fuel, combustion, emulsion and orexplosives technology. By no means does the descriptions of the abovethree general procedures of manufacture constitute the only possibleprocedures and/or techniques available to those skilled in the art.Multiple phase emulsions may be created by any technique suitable to theskilled artisan in order to achieve the desired multiple phase emulsionproduct. This would included but not be limited to such physicalprocedures and or techniques of manufacture as modifications to thoseillustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,430,251 or the use of static mixers, inline mixers or other such mechanical devices which may be but is notlimited to the previously defined high and or low pressure operationsand or combinations of mechanical devices with and or without variouschemical moieties to achieve multiple phase emulsions as a finalproduct.

It should be assumed by those skilled in the art of burner fuel,combustion, emulsion and or explosives technology that as a result ofthe teachings of this disclosure that certain combinations of chemicalmoieties and mechanical devices may be specific but is not limited tocertain cost performance parameters for specific applications which arewithin the scope of this disclosure.

It should also be assumed by those skilled in the art of burner fuel,combustion, emulsion and or explosives technology, as a result of theteachings of this disclosure that certain chemical moieties may go ineither the oil or the water or both depending upon the specific chemicalmoieties being combined in relation to the other phases of the multiplephase emulsion. It should further be assumed by those skilled in the artof burner fuel, combustion, emulsion and or explosives technology thatas a result of the teachings of this disclosure that certain chemicalmoieties may go in either the oil phase, the water phase, or bothdepending upon the specific chemical moieties being combined withspecific gasses and or solids and or liquids and or other emulsions. Itis also to be assumed by those skilled in the art of burner fuel,combustion, emulsion and or explosives technology and as a result of theteachings of this disclosure that other additives may be but are notlimited to those previously disclosed which may or may not act as or besurface active agents, finely divided solids or other such partitioningor dispersing or end product performance agents or enhancements.

Example 1

The procedure or technique used for making this multiple phase emulsionfollows that of General Procedure of Manufacture No. 1 of thisdisclosure and is as follows:

Step 1: Add 728.00 grams of molten asphaltic Vacuum Tower Bottoms (VTB)to a suitable heated container while maintaining heat at approximately200°±5° F. by a suitable means of heating and agitated with a prop mixerturning at approximately 1550 revolutions per minute.

Step 2: Under agitation, add 4.00 grams of crude lecithin (Centrol3F-UB, Central Soya) to the molten VTB and maintain temperature at 180°F. to 205° F. It has been found that there are no adverse effects to thefinal product if this mixture is used immediately or stored for periodsexceeding eight (8) hours either hot or cold.

Step 3: Heat 64.00 grams of water to 100° F. to 110° F. in a suitablecontainer with adequate mixing.

Step 4: To the product of Step 3 add 4.00 grams of Aluminum Sulfate ofthe general formula Al₂ (SO₄)₃ ·14.3H₂ O, mix until dissolved andmaintain 90° F. to 110° F. temperature.

Step 5: Heat 22.077 grams of water to 100° F. to 110° F. in a suitablecontainer with adequate mixing.

Step 6: Add 10.00 grams of 100 mole ethylene oxide nonyl phenol to theproduct of Step 5 with adequate mixing and maintain the results at 100°F. to 110° F. temperature. The pH of this solution should normally beabout 6.5 to 8.0 or that of the initial water.

Step 7: Slowly add the resultant mixture of Step 4 to the resultingmixture of Step 3 and maintain the temperature at 180° F. to 205° F. toform a portion of the multiple phase emulsion comprised of W/O.

Step 8: Add 769.23 grams of the resultant mixture of Step 7 (W/O phase)to the resulting mixture of Step 6 while passing through a suitablemixing or emulsifying apparatus and allow the resulting W/O/W emulsionto equalize in temperature and stabilize.

The W/O/W emulsion of Step 8 would under microscopic observation have aphysical appearance such as that illustrated in FIG. 1 of thisdisclosure.

The W/O/W emulsion of Step 8 could find suitable applications as aburner fuel with the following desirable features:

1) Low pumping viscosity (which is characteristic of O/W emulsions);

2) Low degree of separation upon static storage;

3) Acceptable nozzle atomization which is characteristic of O/Wemulsion;

4) Secondary atomization of the oil droplet which is characteristic ofW/O emulsions;

5) Likely lower NO_(x) emittance in stack gasses due to the presence ofavailable hydrogens from the water;

6) More efficient burning or higher BTU yields due to the over allincrease in atomization of the fuel (oil) droplet which resulted formthe formation and use of the multiple phase emulsion in thisapplication.

The Formula of Example 1 would be as follows based upon total weight offinal product:

    ______________________________________                                        %     Product                                                                 ______________________________________                                        69.999                                                                              Vacuum Tower Bottoms                                                    0.385 Lecithin, Centrol 3F-UB from Central Soya                               0.385 Aluminum Sulfate                                                        28.231                                                                              Water                                                                   1.000 T-Det N-100, 100 mole Ethylene Oxide Nonyl Phenol                             from Harcros Chemical                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Example 2

The procedure of technique used for making this multiple phase emulsionfollows that of General Procedure of Manufacture No. 1 but illustratesthe use of different chemical moieties than those used in Example No. 1of this disclosure and is as follows:

Step 1: Add 1638.00 grams of molten asphaltic Vacuum Tower Bottoms (VTB)to a suitable heated container while maintaining heat at approximately200°±5° F. by a suitable means of heating and agitated with a prop mixerturning at approximately 1550 revolutions per minute.

Step 2: Under agitation, add 9.00 grams of crude lecithin (Centrol3F-UB, Central Soya) to the molten VTB and maintain temperature at 180°F. to 205° F. It has been found that there are no adverse effects to thefinal product if this mixture is used immediately or stored for periodsexceeding eight (8) hours either hot or cold.

Step 3: Heat 144.00 grams of water to 100° F. to 110° F. in a suitablecontainer with adequate mixing.

Step 4: To the product of Step 3 add 9.00 grams of Aluminum Sulfate ofthe general formula Al₂ (SO₄)₃ ·14.3H₂ O, mix until dissolved andmaintain 90° F. to 110° F. temperature.

Step 5: Heat 416.40 grams of water to 100° F. to 110° F. in a suitablecontainer with adequate mixing.

Step 6: Add 30.00 grams of Crude Tall Oil, 10.00 grams of 10 mole Boraxand 6.00 grams of NaOH pellets to Step 5 with adequate mixing; adjustthe pH to above 11.0; maintain at 100° F. to 110° F. temperature.

Step 7: Slowly add the resultant mixture of Step 4 to the resultingmixture of Step 3 and maintain the temperature at 180° F. to 205° F. toform a portion of the multiple phase emulsion comprised of W/O.

Step 8: Add 1540.0 grams of the resultant mixture of Step 7 (W/O phase)to the resulting mixture of Step 6 while passing through a suitablemixing or emulsifying apparatus and allow the resulting W/O/W emulsionto equalize in temperature and stabilize.

The W/O/W emulsion of Step 8 would under microscopic observation have aphysical appearance such as that shown in FIG. 1 of this disclosure.

The W/O/W emulsion of Step 8 could find suitable applications as aburner fuel with the following desirable features:

1) Low pumping viscosity (which is characteristic of O/W emulsions);

2) Low degree of separation upon static storage;

3) Acceptable nozzle atomization which is characteristic of O/Wemulsion;

4) Secondary atomization of the oil droplet which is characteristic ofW/O emulsions;

5) Likely lower NO_(x) emitance in stack gasses due to the presence ofavailable hydrogens from the water;

6) More efficient burning or higher BTU yields due to the over allincrease in atomization of the fuel (oil) droplet which resulted fromthe formation and use of multiple phase emulsions in this application.

The Formula of Example 1 would be as follows based upon total weight offinal product:

    ______________________________________                                        %     Product                                                                 ______________________________________                                        70.070                                                                              Vacuum Tower Bottoms                                                    0.385 Lecithin, Centrol 3F-UB from Central Soya                               0.385 Aluminum Sulfate                                                        26.860                                                                              Water                                                                   1.500 Crude Tall Oil from Georgia Pacific, Arkansas                           0.500 10 mole Borax from U.S. Borax                                           0.300 NaOH - Caustic Soda pellets or otherwise adjust to pH                         >11.0                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Example 3

The procedure of technique used for making this multiple phase emulsionfollows that of General Procedure of Manufacture No. 1 but illustratesthe use of different chemical moieties than those used in Example No. 1or Example No. 2 of this disclosure and is as follows:

Step 1: Add 1875.00 grams of molten asphaltic Vacuum Tower Bottoms (VTB)to a suitable heated container while maintaining heat at approximately200°±5° F. by a suitable means of heating and agitated with a prop mixerturning at approximately 1550 revolutions per minute and recirculatingthrough a recirculation line equipped with a recirculation line by passarrangement.

Step 2: Heat 100.00 grams of water to 100° F. to 110° F. in a suitablecontainer with adequate mixing.

Step 3: To the product of Step 2 add 2.50 grams of Product S-2commercially available from Kramer Chemical, N.J., USA which is known tobe a W/O emulsifier package (A composition of 92.00% MgOH; oneemulsifier with an HLB of <10 & two emulsifiers >10 HLB to total thebalance of 8.00%) and enough NaOH to adjust the pH to a range of 9 to 10pH units. Maintain the temperature of this chemical solution at 85° to110° F. until used.

Step 4: Heat 587.50 grams of water to 100° F. to 110° F. in a suitablecontainer with adequate mixing.

Step 5: With Adequate mixing, add ≈5.09 grams HCl@20° Be concentrationto Step 4 followed by the addition of a 18.75 grams of an ExperimentalEmulsifier Blend #2 which consists of approximately 45.0% C₁₈ QuaternaryAmmonium Chloride, 8.333% C₁₈ Diamine, ≈41.666% Diethylene glycol, 3.6%Isopropyl Alcohol and water (as needed) to form the balance of theemulsifier blend; add 3.75 grams of CaCl₂, adjust pH to below 3 andpreferably between 1.5 and 2.5 pH units; maintain at 85° F. to 110° F.temperature.

Step 6: Slowly add the resultant mixture of Step 3 to the resultingmixture of Step 1 while mixing with suitable mixer and circulatingthrough a gear pump and simultaneously allowing small quantities of thenow forming or formed W/O emulsion to either by pass the return andenter the resultant mixture of Step 5 or return to the originalcontainer of Step 1 to be circulated and/or pass through the gear pumpagain. Maintain the temperature at 180° F. to 205° F. to form a portionof the multiple phase emulsion comprised of W/O as the mixture is beingmixed and passing through the gear pump.

Step 7: Continue the procedure of Step 6 until all the resultant mixtureof Step 3 is added to the mixing and circulating resultant mixture ofStep 1 until all the mixture of Step 3 is added to the resultant mixtureof Step 1 and introduced into the resultant mixture of Step 5 asdescribed in Step 6.

The W/O/W emulsion of Step 7 would under microscopic observation have aphysical appearance such as that shown in FIG. 1 of this disclosure.

The W/O/W emulsion of Step 7 could find suitable applications as aburner fuel with the following desirable features:

1) Low pumping viscosity (which is characteristic of O/W emulsions);

2) Low degree of separation upon static storage;

3) Acceptable nozzle atomization which is characteristic of O/Wemulsion;

4) Secondary atomization of the oil droplet which is characteristic ofW/O emulsions;

5) Likely lower NO_(x) emitance in stack gasses due to the presence ofavailable hydrogens from the water;

6) More efficient burning or higher BTU yields due to the over allincrease in atomization of the fuel (oil) droplet which resulted fromthe formation and use of multiple phase emulsions in this application.

The Formula of Example 3 would be as follows based upon total weight offinal product:

    ______________________________________                                        %     Product                                                                 ______________________________________                                        75.000                                                                              Vacuum Tower Bottoms                                                    0.100 Product S-2 from Kramer Chemical                                        ≈0.010                                                                      NaOH, 50% conc.                                                         27.500                                                                              Water - ≈4.0% of which is in the W/O                                  phase @ pH ≈ 10.0                                               0.150 CaCl.sub.2                                                              0.750 Experimental Emulsifier Blend #2                                        ≈0.200                                                                      HCl @ 20° Be Concentration or as needed to pH 1.5 to                   3.0 in final water phase                                                ______________________________________                                    

Example 4

The procedure of technique used for making this multiple phase emulsionfollows that of General Procedure of Manufacture No. 1 but illustratesthe use of different chemical moieties than those used in Example No. 1or Example No. 2 and different asphaltic material than that used inExample No. 3 of this disclosure and is as follows:

Step 1: Add 1875.00 grams of molten asphaltic VTB commonly known in theindustry as AC-20 to a suitable heated container while maintaining heatat approximately 245°±5° F. by a suitable means of heating and agitatedwith a prop mixer turning at approximately 1550 revolutions per minuteand recirculating through a recirculation line equipped with arecirculation line by pass arrangement.

Step 2: Heat 100.00 grams of water to 100° F. to 110° F. in a suitablecontainer with adequate mixing.

Step 3: To the product of Step 2 add 2.50 grams of Product S-2 availablefrom Kramer Chemical, N.J., USA which is known to be a W/O emulsifierpackage (A composition of 92.00% MgOH; one emulsifier with an HLB of <10& two emulsifiers >10 HLB to total the balance of 8.00%) and enough NaOHto adjust the pH to a range of 9 to 10 pH units. Maintain thetemperature of this chemical solution at 85° to 110° F. until used.

Step 4: Heat 587.50 grams of water to 100° F. to 110° F. in a suitablecontainer with adequate mixing.

Step 5: With adequate mixing, add ≈5.09 grams HCl @20°Be concentrationto Step 4 followed by the addition of a 1.25 grams of a Ethoxylated (3moles) Tallow diamine (C₁₈ diamine), 6.75 grams of a Tallow trimethylAmmonium Chloride (C₁₈ Quaternary Ammonium Chloride), 4.50 grams ofIsopropyl Alcohol as a solvent for the Tallow trimethyl AmmoniumChloride, 2.50 grams CaCl₂, 5.00 grams of Ethylene Glycol, ≈2.50 gramsof HCl @20°Be concentration or as needed to adjust the pH to below 3 andpreferably between 1.5 and 2.5 pH units; maintain at 85° F. to 110° F.temperature. The pH of this solution was 1.22 pH units.

Step 6: Slowly add the resultant mixture of Step 3 to the resultingmixture of Step 1 while mixing with suitable mixer and circulatingthrough a gear pump and simultaneously allowing small quantities of thenow forming or formed W/O emulsion to either by pass the return andenter the resultant mixture of Step 5 or return to the originalcontainer of Step 1 to be circulated and or pass through the gear pumpagain. Maintain the temperature at 180° F. to 205° F. to form a portionof the multiple phase emulsion comprised of W/O as the mixture is beingmixed and passing through the gear pump.

Step 7: Continue the procedure of Step 6 until all the resultant mixtureof Step 3 is added to the mixing and circulating resultant mixture ofStep 1 until all the mixture of Step 3 is added to the resultant mixtureof Step 1 and introduced into the resultant mixture of Step 5 asdescribed in Step 6.

The W/O/W emulsion of Step 7 would under microscopic observation have aphysical appearance such as that shown in FIG. 1 of this disclosure.

The W/O/W emulsion of Step 7 could find suitable applications as aburner fuel with the following desirable features:

1) Low pumping viscosity (which is characteristic of O/W emulsions);

2) Low degree of separation upon static storage;

3) Acceptable nozzle atomization which is characteristic of O/Wemulsion;

4) Secondary atomization of the oil droplet which is characteristic ofW/O emulsions;

5) Likely lower NO_(x) emitance in stack gasses due to the presence ofavailable hydrogens from the water;

6) More efficient burning or higher BTU yields due to the over allincrease in atomization of the fuel (oil) droplet which resulted fromthe formation and use of multiple phase emulsions in this application.

The Formula of Example 4 would be as follows based upon total weight offinal product:

    ______________________________________                                        %     Product                                                                 ______________________________________                                        75.000                                                                              Asphaltic VTB Known as AC-20                                            0.100 Product S-2 from Krimer Chemical                                        27.500                                                                              Water - ≈6.0% of which is in the W/O phase at                         pH ≈ 7.0 to 8.0                                                 0.100 CaCl.sub.2                                                              0.050 Ethoxylated (3 moles) Tallow diamine (C.sub.18 diamine)                 0.270 Tallow trimethyl Ammonium Chloride (C.sub.18 Quaternary                       Ammonium Chloride)                                                      0.180 Isopropyl Alcohol                                                       ≈0.100                                                                      HCl @ 20° Be Concentration or as needed to pH 1.0 to                   3.0 in final water phase                                                0.200 Ethylene Glycol                                                         ______________________________________                                    

In Table I below, the resulting data and other pertinent information onthe final product W/O/W emulsion for each of the examples above issummarized.

                  TABLE I                                                         ______________________________________                                        Summary of W/O/W Emulsions of Example 1 through Example 4                                Example   Example          Example                                 Test/Example                                                                             1         2        Example 3                                                                             4                                       ______________________________________                                        Type Oil   VTB -     VTB -    VTB - Soft                                                                            VTB -                                   Phase      AC-20     AC-20            AC-20                                   B&R Soft   124       124      90 (≈33.0)                                                                    124                                     Pt.        (≈51.3)                                                                         (≈51.3)  (≈51.3)                         °F. (°C.)                                                       Abs. Visc.,                                                                              237,911   237,911  19,350  237,911                                 cP                                                                            SFS Visc., Too Thick <Ex. 1   157     73                                      sec @      to Test   but too                                                  122° F.       Thick                                                    Final Oil  N/A High  72.01    71.72   71.31                                   Phase,     SFS Visc.                                                          Wt. %                                                                         Visc. Ratio                                                                              N/A       N/A      1/1515  1/3259                                  Stg. Stab.,                                                                              0.25*     ≈4.0                                                                           >9.0    >15.0                                   mo                                                                            pH Final   7.0-      >11.0    2.0-3.0 1.22                                    Phase      8.0                                                                ______________________________________                                         *Example 1 actually separated into 3 distinct layers of W/O/W on top,         water in the middle and asphaltic oil on the bottom.                     

Explanation of Tests

The Ball & Ring Softening Point (B&R Soft Pt.) test was performed inaccordance with ASTM D-36.

The Absolute Viscosity test was performed in accordance with ASTM D-2171with the data recorded in units of centipoise (cP) in place of thenormal reporting practice of Poise (P). By definition, 100 centipoise(cP)=1 Poise (P). This reporting procedure was adopted for convenienceof data comparison. The accepted test as per ASTM D-2171 at 140° F. (60°C.) was used throughout this work.

The Saybolt Furol Seconds (SFS) viscosity was performed in accordancewith ASTM D-88. The standard test temperature is 122° F. (50° C.) wasused in this work with the data reported in seconds as per ASTM D-88test procedure.

The final oil or VTB--Asphaltic material content (Final Oil Phase, WT.%) of each emulsion was determined by adding a known amount of MultiplePhase Emulsion and recorded as wight I, to a previously weighed (andrecorded as T) metal quart can. This material and container was thenplaced upon a hot plate of sufficient heating capacity and so set so asto boil all water volatilize from the contents of the Multiple PhaseEmulsion leaving only the initial VTB Asphaltic material which is thenweighed and recorded as F. The result is expressed as the Final weightpercent of the Oil Phase. The formula for calculating the Final OilPhase, Wt. % would be as follows: Final Oil Phase, Wt.%=[(I-T)/(F-T)]×100.

Viscosity Ratio (Visc. Ratio) is the ratio of the Saybolt Furol Secondsviscosity expressed in units of seconds over the Absolute Viscosityexpressed in units of cP. Therefore the units of the Viscosity Ratiowould be seconds/cP. This Viscosity Ratio value is used to determine thedegree of viscosity reduction of the disclosed Multiple Phase Emulsionprocess.

Storage Stability (Stg. Stab.) was measured by observations of clearsealed containers of each emulsion stored at ambient temperature (≈25°C.) undisturbed until tested or removed from the test program due toinstability. The emulsions which were determined by observation to havesufficient stability to warrant further testing were then opened to havethe SFS viscosity test ran.

The pH of each emulsion's final water phase (pH Final Phase) wasdetermined by either litmus paper or an Orian Model 520 pH meter withtemperature compensation probe or both the litmus paper and pH meter tocross reference each to the other.

Discussion of Data and Formulary

One of the first observations of the data in Table I is that bydecreasing the pH of the chemical solution in Example 1 has a pH ≈7.0 to8.0 and has the lowest Storage Stability value of any of the emulsions.Example I illustrates current state of the art.

Example 2 teaches improved Storage Stability by adjustment to pH greaterthan 11.0. Example 3 and Example 4 teach that pH below 3.0 may alsoimprove Storage Stability. The greatly improved Storage Stability ofExample 3 and Example 4 were accomplished by incorporation of the CaCl₂and a glycol (a type of alcohol component in the formula. From the dataof Example 3 and Example 4 in Table I, one may now conclude that eitherdiethylene glycol as taught in Example 3 or ethylene glycol as taught inExample 4 may be used to improve Storage Stability.

It would be obvious to one now skilled in the art of improved MultiplePhase Emulsions that other members of the glycol family may havesuitable application as taught here in. Selection of the glycolcomponent would most likely be determined by economic as well astechnical considerations.

In Example 3 and Example 4, the use of the Ethyoxylated Tallow Diamineincorporates improved efficiency in emulsification. The improvedefficiency in emulsification results in better over all stability. Foremulsifiers such as Ethoxylated Tallow Diamine to be effective, a pHbelow 3.5 is desirable. This over all effect of improvement to theMultiple Phase Emulsion process is most desirable when emulsifying withheavy hydrocarbon oils. Such improvements by the use of EthoxylatedTallow Diamine to Multiple Phase Emulsion processes were not previouslyknown in the art. Other nonlimiting diamines which may find utility inMultiple Phase Emulsions could be variations of coco, coconut, soya orothers and their ethyoxylated or propoxylated derivatives.

Another result of the teachings of this disclosure is the ability of theMultiple Phase Emulsion process to combine water phases of opposing pHvalues into one single emulsion system. This feature is taught in theformula and data in Table I of Example 3. In Example 3, the internalwater phase had a pH of 10 while a pH of 2.0 to 3.0 exists in theexternal phase of the Multiple Phase Emulsion.

Example 3 and Example 4 teach the art of greatly reduced Multiple PhaseEmulsion viscosity as measured by Saybolt Furol Seconds (SFS) over thatof the initial asphaltic VTB oil. The resulting low SFS viscosity isachieved by the addition of both CaCl₂ and the glycol component in eachformula.

It would be obvious to one now skilled in the art of improved MultiplePhase Emulsions that other metal salts such as NaCl or MgCl or theacetate version of such salts may have suitable application as taughthere in. An obvious derivation from CaCl₂ to NaCl would be inapplications of the disclosed embodiment where a pH of 10.0 or greaterexists in One of the water phases. The use of CaCl₂ in emulsion systemsof >10.0 pH is known to break or other wise make unstable the emulsionsystem. In such systems and for economic reasons, NaCl is a logicalselection as it is known to be compatible with emulsions in this pHrange.

Where environmental concerns dictate, selection of the acetate versionof such salts as described above may be desired. In general, the acetateversion of such salts are considered more environmentally safe.

Absolute Viscosity is commonly used in the asphalt industry to measurethe viscosity at 140° F. (60° C.) of asphaltic materials in units ofPoise. Asphaltic emulsion viscosity is normally measured in terms ofSaybolt Furol Seconds at 122° F. (50° C.) in units of seconds. Whenworking with highly viscous materials which are or may be solid or semisolid at 122° F. (50° C.) as evidenced by the Ball & Ring SofteningPoint data in Table I, a conventional comparison of viscosity reductionat equal temperatures is not practical. As a result the viscosityreduction was measured by the Viscosity Ratio method previouslydescribed. From the data for Viscosity Ratio in Table I, Example 3 andExample 4, viscosity reductions in the magnitude of 1/1000 or greatermay be achieved by application of the teachings disclosed herein.

From these teachings described in this disclosure, one obviousapplication to heavy hydrocarbon oils that have viscosities measurableat 122° F. (50° C.) is that such heavy hydrocarbon oils may nowconstitute a greater portion of the final product composition thanpreviously known in the art. Multiple Phase Emulsions made from suchheavy hydrocarbon oils would be expected to still have acceptableviscosity values.

In any of these examples and from the teachings of this disclosure,those skilled in the art of burner fuel, combustion, emulsion and orexplosives technology would know that there exists many suitable meansby which multiple phase emulsions may be created beyond those given inthis disclosure which would offer advances in the art of each specificoccurrence of use and that these advances are a result of the teachingsand scope of this disclosure.

It should be understood that the amounts of the chemical components inExamples 1, 2, 3 and 4 are for exemplification purposes only and that anacceptable range exists for the purposes of this invention.

While the invention has been described with a certain degree ofparticularity it is manifest that many changes may be made in thedetails of construction and the arrangement of components withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understoodthat the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth hereinfor purposes of exemplification, but is to be limited only by the scopeof the attached claim or claims, including the full range of equivalencyto which each element thereof is entitled.

What is claimed:
 1. A method of making a multiple phase emulsion or gel,comprising the steps of:adding molten asphaltic vacuum tower bottoms toa heated first container; maintaining said first container at atemperature of at least 200° F.; agitating the vacuum tower bottoms inthe first container; adding lecithin to the vacuum tower bottoms to forma solution; maintaining this solution within a temperature range of atleast 180° F.; heating water to at least 100° F. in a second container;adding aluminum sulfate of the general formula Al₂ (SO₄)₃ ·14.3H₂ O tothe water in the second container to form a mixture; mixing the mixturein the second container until the Al₂ (SO₄)₃ ·14.3H₂ O is dissolved;maintaining the mixture in the second container within a temperaturerange of at least 90° F.; heating water to a temperature of at least100° F. in a third container; adding ethylene oxide nonyl phenol to thewater in the third container to form a resultant product; maintainingthe temperature of the resultant mixture in the third container above100° F.; adding the solution in the first container to the mixture inthe second container to form a portion of the multiple phase emulsionconsisting of water in oil; maintaining the portion of the multiplephase emulsion consisting of water in oil at a temperature above 180°F.; and combining the multiple phase emulsion consisting of water in oilin the second container with the resultant product in the thirdcontainer in a mixing apparatus; mixing said combination to form atleast a water/oil/water emulsion.
 2. A method of making a multiple phaseemulsion or gel, comprising the steps of:adding molten asphaltic vacuumtower bottoms to a heated first container; maintaining said firstcontainer at a temperature of at least 200° F.; agitating the vacuumtower bottoms in the first container; adding lecithin to the vacuumtower bottoms to form a solution; maintaining this solution within atemperature range of at least 180° F.; heating water to at least 100° F.in a second container; adding aluminum sulfate of the general formulaAl₂ (SO₄)₃ ·14.3H₂ O and borax to the water in the second container toform a mixture; mixing the mixture in the second container until the Al₂(SO₄)₃ ·14.3H₂ O is dissolved; maintaining the mixture in the secondcontainer within a temperature range of at least 90° F.; heating waterto a temperature of at least 100° F. in a third container; adding crudetall oil and NaOH to the water in the third container to form aresultant product and adjusting the pH of the resultant product in thethird container above 10.0; maintaining the temperature of the resultantmixture in the third container above 100° F.; adding the solution in thefirst container to the mixture in the second container to form a portionof the multiple phase emulsion consisting of water in oil; maintainingthe portion of the multiple phase emulsion consisting of water in oil ata temperature above 180° F.; combining the multiple phase emulsionconsisting of water in oil in the second container with the resultantproduct in the third container in a mixing apparatus; and mixing saidcombination to form at least a water/oil/water emulsion.
 3. A method ofmaking a multiple phase emulsion of at least two opposing pH values inat least two water phases of the emulsion or gel comprising the stepsof:adding molten asphaltic vacuum tower bottoms to a heated firstcontainer; maintaining said first container at a temperature of at least200° F.; heating water to about 100° F. in a second container; addingemulsifier blends known to create W/O emulsions and NaOH to the water inthe second container and adjusting the pH to about 10 to form a mixture;heating water to about 100° F. in a third container; adding quaternaryammonium chloride emulsifiers, diamine emulsifiers, salts of Na or Ca,glycols and HCl to adjust the pH to below 3.0 to form a mixture; mixingthe mixture in the second container with that of the first containerwhile passing small portions of the resulting mixture into the thirdcontainer until the contents of both the first container and secondcontainer are combined and mixed with the third container to form saidwater/oil/water emulsion of two opposing pH values.
 4. A method ofmaking a multiple phase emulsion or gel comprising the steps of:addingmolten asphaltic vacuum tower bottoms to a heated first container;maintaining said first container at a temperature of at least 200° F.;heating water to about 100° F. in a second container; adding emulsifierblends known to create W/O emulsions to form a mixture; heating water toabout 100° F. in a third container; adding quaternary ammonium chlorideemulsifiers, diamine emulsifiers, salts of Na or Ca, glycols and HCl asneeded to adjust the pH to below 3.0 to form a mixture, wherein saidglycols are added to lower viscosity; mixing the mixture in the secondcontainer with that of the first container while passing small portionsof the resulting mixture into the third container until the contents ofboth the first container and second container are combined and mixedwith the third container to form said water/oil/water emulsion of twoopposing pH values.